I’m going to discuss almost all the current zero-turn mower brands sold in the U.S. (Let me know if I miss one) I’ll give you a general description of the ZTRs they offer and give you my opinion of the mowers/brand in general. Currently, Toro, Ariens, Cub Cadet, Husqvarna, John Deere, and Bad Boy are the most well-known brands mainly because they are sold at the “big box” retailers and spend the most on advertising. But, there are also thirty-one high-quality brands that are sold only at local dealers and farm equipment stores that have been around for years. Impact-Site-Verification: -1685323602
The Best Zero-Turn Mowers save you time and many are built to last many, many years. Of the almost 400 different models of zero-turns available on the market for 2022, about 150 of those models are designed specifically for residential use.
Zero-turn mowers are available in gas, diesel, LP, and battery electric. They range in size and quality from inexpensive, economy models designed to mow your one-third acre lot to high performance, heavy-duty models designed to mow over 150 acres a day. While most zero-turn mowers are capable of mowing 10-15 degree slopes there are a few that can handle 40 degrees and can even be controlled remotely for extreme conditions. Almost all of them are made in the U.S.A. under 38 different brand names. Deciding which one is best for you can be hard to do. This article will help.
Check out the quick history of zero-turn mowers at the end of this article.
Please bookmark this article – it’s long and you’ll want to reference it from time to time.
Check out my YouTube Page: Paul Sikkema
The information in this article is my opinion only. No company, brand, or individual has paid or influenced me.
What are the top brands of zero-turn mowers? – The List – January 2022
The list is in no particular order and only lists zero-turn mowers that are currently offered in the U.S.
Note: All zero-turn mower brands make their mowers in the U.S.A except for three battery-powered machines.
Ariens
Ariens is part of Ariens|Co – and is family-owned. Why Ariens? You know Ariens snowblowers but you may not know Ariens also offers a complete line of residential ZTRs. From the Economy Edge, the very popular IKON XD and heavy-duty APEX to the commercial-inspired Zenith for large acreages, the Ariens ZTRs are some of the best value mowers in the industry right now.
15 Models ranging from economy residential to high-end residential
Gravely
2. Website: Gravely YouTube Page: Gravely
Gravely is part of Ariens|Co – and is family-owned. Why Gravely? Here in the U.S. I consider Gravely to be the commercial side of Ariens|Co’s Outdoor Power Equipment. Yes, They have a residential IKON XD equivalent but don’t carry an EDGE equivalent. They also have an IKON XD equivalent with stronger transmissions called the ZT XL for those of you who like the IKON XD but want the stronger ZT2800 transmissions.
From there up in the model line it’s all about rugged, dependable zero-turns that are designed for every level of mowing contractors. From the Pro-Turn Z that’s great for the “two guys and a truck” crowd to the Pro-Turn 600 that will mow all day long – every day – for years.
Gravely was also the first of the major zero-turn mower brands to offer the Pro-Turn EV electric zero-turn mower. If you are required to use battery power or if you just want to take your lawn care business “green” it’s the first mower you should look at.
63 Zero Turn models ranging from mid-priced residential to high-end commercial
9 Stand On commercial and high-end commercial models
6 Commercial Electric Zero-Turn models
Toro
3. Website: Toro YouTube Page: Toro
Toro is part of The Toro Company Why Toro? Toro offers the most residential, commercial, and municipality mowers of all the zero-turn mower brands. Personally, I feel Toro focuses on the best cut and the best quality mowers for the price.
Toro offers 31 residential zero-turn models ranging from 42-inch economy models to high-end models designed for large lawns. They are even offering “styled” mowers if you want great looking mower that also cuts and rides well. (No. I didn’t forget the 34-inch TimeCutter – It’s too small and I don’t recommend it)
Besides cut and quality Toro also has one of the best operator suspension systems on the market. The Toro MyRIDE® Suspension System takes out the bumps and jars of mowing and allows you to mow faster and not get worn out from the rough ride ZTRs are known for. Unlike other highly advertised suspension systems, the MyRide does NOT affect the quality of the cut.
Toro also offers 80 Commercial Models ranging from 42 to 144 inches. Owner-Operators can get dependable mowers in the size they need and businesses and municipalities can couple these high-quality zero-turns with Toro’s groundskeeping products to mow hundreds of acres a week, keep the sports fields in perfect condition and maintain Masters Level golf courses.
19 Stand-On Models ranging from 40 to 60 inches
Commercial Electric Models – 3 stand-on and 4 zero-turn announced
Robotic Models – Large area concept units have been announced
Exmark
4. Website: Exmark YouTube Page: Exmark
Exmark is part of The Toro Company Why Exmark? Exmark is aimed at the landscape contractor. In fact, if you see a trailer load of mowers heading for a worksite there is a good chance they will all be Exmarks.
Although Exmark and Toro zero-turns are made in the same factory Exmark features a high ground speed deck that can mow in just about all weather conditions. If you are a mowing contractor who needs to mow every day, rain, or shine and still get a picture-worthy cut you can’t go wrong with an Exmark Lazer Z.
Exmark’s website is hard to figure out so I’m not able to list exactly how many different models are available.
Mid-price zero-turn residential models ranging from 42-54 inches
Commercial Models range from 42 to 144 inches including a rear discharge deck for working around people.
Front deck models with integrated grass catcher
Stand-On Models ranging from 32 to 60 inches
Commercial Electric Models – stand-on and zero-turn announced
Robotic Models – Concept units have been announced
Spartan
5. Website: Spartan YouTube Page: Spartan
Spartan/Intimidator is part of The Toro Company Why Spartan? Spartan started out just a few years ago by disrupting the market. They came out with economical models that looked heavy-duty and were styled to look cool. Homeowners with a few acres could buy a ZTR that looked like a commercial mower for thousands less than the other zero-turn mower brands. Needless to say, the brand exploded overnight.
Spartan mowers have a few unique features like armrests that actually work and two-inch receivers on the front and back for mounting accessories like baggers and sprayers.
Today they are a full-line brand that now includes commercial and stand-on models. Spartan/Intimidator was just purchased by Toro. (January 2022)
Ventrac
6. WebSite: Ventrac YouTube Page: Ventrac
Ventrac is part of The Toro Company Why Ventrac? Zero-turn mowers are designed to mow lawns but many of you want a mower to cut pastures, paddocks, set-aside, slopes, ditches, and fire breaks. The Ventrac is not a zero-turn as such but it is the rural-lifestyle or commercial system you need for those areas a zero-turn just can’t do. The Ventrac has over 40 available attachments including pasture mowers, brush mowers and even finish mowers for your actual lawn.
Country Clipper
7. Website: Country Clipper YouTube Page: Country Clipper
Country Clipper is a division of Shivvers Manufacturing Inc. – and is family-owned. Why Country Clipper? Country Clipper has been around as long as any other brand on the market. But they have always concentrated on being one of the best – not one of the biggest.
Country Clipper offers three levels of residential and three levels of commercial mowers ranging in deck widths from 42 to 72 inches.
Country Clipper mowers are built well, cut well, and will last most of us many, many years. I have a neighbor who mows 3 acres, never puts the mower away, never does any maintenance and his Country Clipper is still mowing after 26 years!
Country Clipper mowers offer a few unique features that other zero-turn mower brands do not.
Joystick Steering – Country Clipper offers a unique joystick steering system that anyone can use. It’s easy to learn and fun to use. The one-hand control has what I call a “speed gate” so that you can maneuver the mower at slow speeds but the ramped control reduces the movement of the joystick so at full-out high speeds you don’t make quick, dangerous turns accidentally like you can with lap-bar steering controls. The joystick is designed so that even the most novice operator won’t make divots on your lawn. You can also get your Country Clipper with lap-bar steering.
Stand-Up Deck – All Country Clipper mowers feature the Stand-Up deck so you can easily clean under the deck, sharpen blades, etc. (Optional electric assist)
Handicap Features – Country Clipper offers front steps for getting off and on the mower easily. They offer handrails to assist you if you have balance issues. Your local dealer can also move the joystick to the right or left side. In other words, if you are old and stiff they have accessories to help you get on and off. If you have bad shoulders using the armrests and moving the joystick to your good side will let you mow with a minimum of pain. You can literally mow with one hand.
If you have a Country Clipper dealer near you I highly recommend you check them out.
Walker
8. Website: Walker YouTube Page: Walker Mowers
Walker is part of Walker Manufacturing – and is family-owned. Why Walker? There are many great zero-turn mower brands on this list and almost all of them make a mower I can recommend for you – but if I had to pick just one brand it would be Walker with its unique line of mowing systems.
Walker offers one residential mower that is designed to give you the very best cut.
All the other models are commercial units and can be equipped with various decks, collection systems, and other attachments to make your Walker work all year-round for you.
Walkers out-front decks move independently from the power unit. If you have a highly contoured lawn this is a real advantage over mid-mount ZTRs. It cuts the dips evenly and doesn’t scalp on the bumps. You can cross-stripe berms without scalping the top or gouging the bottom
All the models feature flip-up decks for easy deck maintenance and to take less room on your trailer. All models feature easily removable decks and with the commercial units you can swap out decks or attachments for different types of mowing and other tasks. In other words, in the morning you can mow/bag a lawn on the top of a skyscraper, and that afternoon change the deck and mow the 10-acre park at street level – all with the same power unit. (Yes, the Model S will fit in an elevator 🙂
With the drive wheels in the center of the mower, you have the best traction all the time and with a little practice, you will not divot any type of turf. The center of gravity is the lowest so it handles slopes better than sit-down mid-mount ZTRs.
It’s the fastest for complicated properties. If you have a lot of small areas to mow, more trees you can count, many landscape beds to mow around and mounds to mow over it is hands-down the fastest mower to use for that type of landscaping.
Walker offers seven power units, four different types of decks ranging from 36 to 74 inches, and over sixteen attachments so that you can mow any lawn and do many other tasks including snow removal, sweeping, spreading, and debris management.
ALTOZ | Precision Mowers
9. Website: ALTOZ YouTube Page: Altoz
ALTOZ is part of Central Boiler – and is family-owned. Why ALTOZ? ALTOZ products are all high-quality and high-performance commercial and residential machines, each built with a dedication to excellence and the promise of a precision cut. ALTOZ mowers are built heavier-duty than most of the ZTRs you will see sitting in your local big box or hardware store. They have the only track-drive zero-turn and track-drive stand-on mower currently on the market.
Wright
10. Website: Wright YouTube Page: Walker Commercial Mowers
Wright is part of Wright Manufacturing, Inc – and is family-owned. Why Wright? Wright does not offer a residential zero-turn mower but they do offer some of the best lap-bar ZTRs and stand ons in the industry.
Stand on mowers from 32 – 72 inches
Lap-Bar ZTR mowers from 48-72 inches.
If you want to start your own lawn service and have a dealer in your area – check them out.
SCAG
11. Website: SCAG YouTube Page: SCAG Power Equipment
SCAG is part of Metalcraft of Mayville, Inc. Why SCAG? In the latest industry numbers, I have, SCAG is the number three commercial mower manufacturer. (Toro/Exmark is first/second) SCAG has a huge number of commercial owner/operators who will buy nothing else.
Six different levels of mowers ranging from the 36-inch residential Liberty Z to the 72-inch Turf Tiger II. The Turf Tiger II can be equipped with a 40 HP EFI engine.
Bobcat
12. Website: Bobcat YouTube Page: Bobcat Company
Bob-Cat (Schiller Grounds Care, Inc.) mowers were purchased by Bobcat about a year ago. Why Bobcat? Bobcat updated the mowers and they are now available through your local Bobcat equipment dealer.
They look good and I expect them to live up to Bobcat’s reputation for making quality commercial products. If you are a contractor and spend more time at the Bobcat dealer than the John Deere franchise – check these mowers out.
Bad Boy
13. Website: Bad Boy YouTube Page: Bad Boy Mowers
Bad Boy is partnered with The Sterling Group. Why Bad Boy? Bad Boy has a cult following because they look cool, have wicked styling, and you can spot them on a lawn from a mile away. They always have an over-the-top display at the larger OPE dealer shows like GIE-EXPO.
They offer a full line of residential and commercial zero-turn mowers
Bradley Mowers
14. Website: Bradley Mowers YouTube Page: Bradley Mowers
Bradley Mowers is part of Havener Enterprises, Inc and is privately held. Why Bradley Mowers? Bradley is a small company that only makes six sizes of stand-on mowers. But, they have been around since the early ’90s and the quality of every mower they produce is outstanding. They don’t have a large dealer network but they do have a phone that always gets answered if you have a problem or need parts. Anything you need is quickly handled – sometimes by the owner himself. Because of this Bradley offers some of the highest quality mowers for much, much less than the other brands.
Bush Hog
15. Website: Bush Hog YouTube Page: Bush Hog
Bush Hog is part of The Alamo Group Why Bush Hog? If you live in the middle of nowhere and your only dealer is a farm implement dealer who sells anything not painted green, Bush Hog is a very good choice. It is a great choice if you need a ZTR to mow your acreage. They are tough, they mow well, and are made for the beating any farm lawn can dish out. Over the years these ZTRs have been sold under various names including Woods, Land Pride, and Bush Hog but the quality and durability has always been great.
Dixie Chopper
16. Website: Dixie Chopper YouTube Page: Dixie Chopper
Dixie Chopper is part of The Alamo Group Alamo is a large farm-oriented brand and you can be assured Dixie Chopper has finally found a good home. Why Dixie Chopper? Dixie Chopper has had a long and storied history. (Remember the dual engine 50HP, 72-inch ZTR?) Dixie Chopper got its claim to fame with its stainless steel side panels and slogan “World’s Fastest Lawn Mower.”
Today, Dixie Chopper has been moved to central Illinois and the two residential and four commercial ZTRs have all been updated.
EGO
17. Website: EGO YouTube Page: EGO
EGO is part of Chervon and is Chinese-owned. Why EGO? EGO OPE (Outdoor Power Equipment) is based around their 60-volt battery system. The batteries will fit all of their OPE – meaning the same battery will power your string trimmer, leaf blower, walk behind mower, and zero-turn mower.
The 42-inch ZTR comes with four 10 AH batteries and has slots for two more. This allows the ZTR to mow up to 4 acres with the six batteries.
The 52 inch comes standard with six 12 AH batteries for up to 4 acres on one charge.
The EGO ZTRS are computer-controlled and you can adjust many settings like forward speed and blade tip speed so you can use it at full power for normal/heavy grass or dial it down for lighter mows.
Ryobi
18. Website: Ryobi YouTube Page: Ryobi
Ryobi is part of TTI. (Techtronic Industries) The main office is located in Hong Kong. Why Ryobi? Ryobi was one of the first brands to offer a residential battery ZTR and now offers both a 42-inch and 54-inch model.
The Ryobi’s are the most popular battery ZTRs right now because they are the least expensive. They are the least expensive because they are still using lead-acid AGM batteries instead of the more costly Lithium-ion. Compared to the other brands using Lithium-ion technology, you will have to replace the batteries more often. Of course, the replacement batteries of the Ryobi are much cheaper than a Lithium-ion so the total cost of ownership over time is about the same. <